Automatic hit indicating shooting target

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a shooting target for the automatic indication of hits, comprising a number of different size target bodies having impact surface for the fired projectiles, a base plate, and a central column for mounting said target bodies behind one another and independently movable with respect to one another to a limited extent at said base plate. Sensing elements responsive to the relative movement of the target bodies serve to influence an electrical current flowing in a current circuit associated with each target body, said sensing elements being arranged between said individual target bodies. An intermediate plate is mounted to be movable to a limited extent relative to the base plate and is arranged between the target bodies and the base plate. Additional sensing elements are arranged substantially along a circular path between said intermediate plate and said base plate for indicating the position of the fired shot.

United States. Patent 1 3,6 0,661 Schiirz et al. [4 1 Sept. 12, 1972 4]AUTOMATIC HIT INDICATING 2,558,563 6/1951 Janssen ..73/ 133 D [72]Inventors: Armin Sehirz; Oskar Scharz, both of Rugenparkstrasse 6, 3800Interlaken (Canton of Beme), Switzerland [22] Filed: Feb. 1, 1971 [21]Appl. No.: 111,313

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 12, 1970 Switzerland..2068/70 [52] U.S. Cl. ..273/l02.2 R, 310/8.6, 73/133 D ['51] Int. Cl...F41j 5/00 [58] Field of Search ..273/102.2 R, 102.2 A, 102.2 S;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,402,523 l/l922 Michoudn..273/102.2 R

2,743,929 5/1956 Smith ..273/102.2 R

3,392,979 7/1968 Wilska ..273/l02.2 S

3,304,773 2/1967 Rogallo ..73/133 D SHOOTING TARGET PrimaryExaminer-Richard C. Pinkhatn Assistant Examiner-Marvin SiskindAttorney-Werner W. Kleeman [5 7] ABSTRACT There is disclosed a shootingtarget for the automatic indication of hits, comprising a number ofdifferent 'size target bodies having impact surface for the firedprojectiles, a base plate, and a central column for mounting said targetbodies behind one another and independently movable with respect to oneanother to a limited extent at said base plate. Sensing elementsresponsive to the relative movement of the target bodies serve toinfluence an electrical current flowing .in a current circuit associatedwith each target body,

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates to a new and improved shooting target for theautomatic indication of hits and which is of the type consisting of anumber of different size target bodies having impact surfaces for theprojectiles or bullets, these target bodies being arranged behind oneanother or in tandem and independently of one another for limitedmovement at a base plate. The target of the invention furtherincorporates elements responsive to the relative movement of the targetbodies for influencing an electrical current in a current circuitassociated with each target body.

Targets for the automatic indication of the point of entry of aprojectile have already been proposed in the art. Such known shootingtargets typically possess at least two foils arranged behind one anotherperpendicular to the path or flight of the bullet and electricallyinsulated from one another, these foils being formed of a suitableconductive material. The projectile or bullet penetrates these foils andas a result both foils are briefly electrically coupled with one anotherthrough the action of the metallic projectile. An electric current surgeor spike then appears at one current circuit coupled with both foils,and which current circuit is equipped with a suitable voltage source.The current surge is then evaluated at a suitable electronic device andthe point of penetration of the bullet or projectile at the target isindicated. To this end, different sectors of the target areadvantageously formed of conductive foils so that the position of theshot or bullet is faultlessly indicated.

Such type targets are especially suitable for projectiles which are shotat the target by means of relatively large caliber firearms or rifles.Projectiles fired from relatively small caliber firearms are not capableof penetrating these foils in all instances such that an elec- V tricalcontact is always positively provided. Furthermore, the scoring ortarget circles for shooting targets used with smallcaliber firearms aregenerally situated so close to one another that manufacture becomesdifficult and a large number of welding operations are required.Additionally, the size of the foils which are subdivided into sectorshave a lower limit. Thus, this known construction of target is notsuitable for small size targets, as such for instance are typically usedin small caliber shooting stands.

It has also already been proposed to provide a substantially cone-shapedbody formed of separated layers and serving as the target bodies. Theindividual layers forming the cone are attached in such a manner that ifhit by a projectile they are placed into movement and thereby triggerthe target hit-indicating operation. To render this possible theindividual target bodies are subdivided into a number of sectors,contacts being arranged behind these individual sectors.

Furthermore, a target construction is also known to the art for theautomatic indication of hits which resorts to the use of a truncatedcone consisting of a number of target bodies and an impact body arrangedbehind such truncated cone which serves to indicate the position of thehit. The target bodies are arranged so as to be individually movable ata central support rigidly coupled with a stationary base plate. Themovements of the target bodies are transmitted to an electrical switchlocated behind the base plate through the intermediary of a rod memberassociated with each target body. The electrical switch then indicatesthe hit.

These known shooting targets possess the drawback that they areextremely sensitive to malfunction owing to the rod members necessaryfor motion transmittal. Further, an additional expenditure of hardwareis necessary to indicate the position of the hit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Hence, there is still present a real need inthe art for automatic hit-indicating targets which are not associatedwith the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art constructions. Thus aprimary objective of this invention relates to the provision of justsuch type target which effectively and reliably fulfills the existingneed in the art.

Another and more specific object of the present invention relates to animproved construction of shooting targets which can be used for smallcaliberprojectiles having a lower penetration or puncture force andwhich is more operationally reliable than the previously known targetsof this type.

Still a further significant object of the present invention relates toan improved target construction of relatively simple design, one whichis reasonably economically feasible to manufacture, not readily subjectto breakdown, and provides for positive indication of both the hit atthe target and the location thereof.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of theinvention which will become more readily apparent as the descriptionproceeds, the target construction of the invention contemplatesarranging the aforementioned elements for influencing an electricalcurrent in a current circuit associated with each target body betweenthe individual target bodies. F urthermore, between the arrangement ofthe target body and the base plate, there is provided an intermediateplate which is movable to a limited extent with respect to such baseplate and wherein the central axis of the arrangement of thetargetbodies is rigidly connected with the intermediate plate. Further,additional elements for influencing appropriate current circuits arearranged at a circle in order to indicate the position of the hit, thesefurther elements being located between the intermediate plate and thebase plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be betterunderstood and objects other than those set forth above, will becomeapparent when consideration is given to the following detaileddescription thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexeddrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates in longitudinal sectional view a shooting targetdesigned according to the concepts of the invention and serving toautomatically indicate hits and the location or position of the hits;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the target of FIG. 1 on a somewhat reducedscale;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of a second embodiment ofinventive shooting-target;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a third embodiment ofinventive shooting target;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of inventive shootingtarget;

FIG. 6 is a plan view or front view of the shooting target shown in FIG.and

FIG. 7 is a block circuit diagram of an electronic device for indicatingthe hits and the position of such hits at the target.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now thedrawings, in" the exemplary embodiment of shooting target illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 there are provided a group of eight similar substantiallycircular shaped target bodies 1 and a substantially potshaped targetbody 2 as well as a cylindrical target body 3 which is equipped with thesmallest impact surface 4. All of these target bodies 1, 2 and 3 arearranged so as to be movable relative to one another and to a centralsupport 5 where such bodies are arranged. Support rings 7 arranged at aspacing from one another by spacer sleeves 6 at the central support arefixedly clamped between the widened head portion 8 of this centralsupport 5 and an intermediate plate 9. All of the substantiallycircular-shaped target bodies 1 will be seen to possess a central bore10, the diameter of which is greater than the outer diameter of thespacer or distance sleeves 6, yet smaller than the external or outerdiameter of the support rings 7. The marginal portion of thecircular-shaped target bodies 1 surrounding the bores 10 extends intothe grooves limited by the support rings 7, the circular ring-shapedtarget disks being retained, by a respective elastic holder or retainerring 11 possessing an angle-shaped cross-section, concentrically withrespect to the central support 5.

A suitable piezoelectric crystal 12, having a substantially ring-shapedconfiguration, is arranged between each respective circular-shapedtarget body 1 and a support ring 7. By virtue of the elastic pressurering 13 surrounding each crystal 12 the associated target body 1 isretained in its rest or initial position.

The pot-shaped target body 2 will be seen to be equipped with a radiallyinwardly protruding rocker or balance 14. The latter engages into agroove formed by a disk-shaped closure element 15 threaded onto the endface of the central support and the support ring 7 bearing against thehead 8 of the central support 5. Further, one side of this rockerelement 14 bears against the associated crystal 12. Also, in this case,the ring-shaped crystal 12 is surrounded by a pressure ring 13, theoutside diameter of which at best is equal in size to the outsidediameter of the pot-shaped target body 2. At the base of the pot-shapedtarget body 2 there is provided an opening 16 for the cylindrical targetbody 3. The outside surface which remains at the base or floor of targetbody 2 provides the second smallest impact surface 17. The cylindricalbody 3 possesses a collar 18a which is arranged within the pot-shapedtarget body 2 for limited movement in relation to the lengthwise axis ofthe central support 5. A further diskshaped crystal 18 is locatedbetween the inner end surface of the cylindrical target body 3 and theclosure element or piece 15. This last-mentioned crystal is likewisesurrounded by a pressure ring 19 which, together with a spring clip orcirclip 20, or equivalent structure, serves to retain thecylindrical-shaped target body 3 in its rest position.

The intermediate plate 9 is arranged for limited movement with respectto a base plate 23 by means of the screws 21 and the rubber elements 22.Now between both plates 9 and 23 there are arranged along a circle at auniform spacing from one another eight further disk-shaped crystals 24.These crystals are likewise surrounded by elastic support rings 25maintaining intermediate plate 9 at a fixed spacing from base plate 23.A bolt 27 is attached by a clamp means 26 to the rear face of the baseplate 23. Bolt 27 has a lower portion which is inserted into astationary tubular member 28. An adjustment screw 29 serves to fix thebolt 27 within the tubular member 28 so that the base plate 23 issupported against movement.

The central carrier or support 5 is of hollow con-'- struction and theclosure element 15 as well as the intermediate plate 9 and the baseplate 23 are provided at their central region with a respectivethroughpassage opening so that the connection wires 30 of the crystalscan be grouped together into a cable 31 departing from the rear face ofthe base plate 23 as best shown in FIG.

Although the above-described target of the invention appears from theside to possess a pine or fir tree-like configuration, the shooter whenshooting at the target sees a normal target image of the type indicatedin FIG. 2. This shooting target provides a 10-point target for smallcaliber shooting stands. The target bodies 1,2,3, and 9 consist of ahigh grade steel and are sufficiently stable in design to resist impactof the projectile. It is here expressly mentioned that the bullets orprojectiles do not penetrate the target bodies rather, as experi mentshave shown, upon impact practically disintegrate or laterally rebound.

Since the target bodies are mounted to be limited in movement uponimpact of the projectile such target bodies are briefly pressed againstthe restoring force of the elastic support rings in a direction towardsthe base plate 23. Consequently, the corresponding crystal 12 or 18 isbriefly stressed or compressed. Hence, a voltage pulse or spike appearsat the connection wires 30 of the relevant crystal. This voltage pulseor possibly a number of such are then delivered via the cable 31 to anelectronic device which will be described more fully hereinafter.

The voltage pulses or signals generated by the crystals 12 or 18associated with the target bodies 1,2 and 3 serve to indicate targethits. Thus, for instance, a voltage pulse produced by for instance thecrystal 12 associated with the pot-shaped target body 2 will indicatethe score 9 because a projectile has impacted against the impact surface17.

The shooter however is not only interested in an indication of thetarget hit rather he is also interested in knowing where at the targetthe hit has occurred. This is important so that when aiming at thetarget he knows how to carry out necessary firing corrections and inwhich direction in order to place the shot in the center of the target.Now, for the purpose of indicating the location of position of the hit,there are used the aforementioned crystals 24 arranged between theintermediate plate 9 and the stationary base plate 23.

As already indicated above, the entire group of target bodies, thecentral support 5 and the intermediate plate 9 are arranged or mountedso as to be movable to a limited extent in relation to the base plate23. Thus, upon impact of a projectile, for instance at location 32 ofFIG. 1, the corresponding target body 1, in this case the second largesttarget body or disk, is pressed in the direction of the base plate 23.This causes the associated crystal 12 which is under stress to deliver avoltage pulse or spike representative of the hit score 2. This impactfurther causes the central support 5 to be slightly upwardly rocked inclockwise direction about a difficult to define axis, resulting in theintermediate plate 9 also carrying out this slight rocking movementbecause it is rigidly connected with the central support 5.Consequently, the three crystals 24 located uppermost in the showing ofFIGS. 1 and 2 and between the intermediate plate 9 and the base plate23, will be compressed or stressed, the largest pressure being appliedto thecentrally located crystal 24. As a result, this crystal willproduce a voltage pulse or spike having the largest amplitude. Thislargest magnitude voltage pulse is evaluated in the above-mentionedelectronic device and indicates the corresponding hit position.

In the event a projectile fails to hit any of the target bodies 1,2,or-3, rather only impacts against the intermediate plate 9, then onlythe hit position will be indicated not the hit itself.

In FIG. 3, there is illustrated a second embodiment of target designthrough the use of the teachings of the invention. The impact surfaces33 of the target body I are arranged in one plane. These impact surfacesare defined by the radially extending end surfaces of the target rings34 rigidly connected via support elements 35 with the respectivecircular-shaped target bodies 1. The support elements 35 represented inFIG. 3 are in the form of hollow cylinders which are welded to arespective one of the circular-shaped target bodies 1. The remainingportions of this shooting target are similarly constructed as was thecase for the target of FIG. 1, and thus the same reference charactershave generally been conveniently used for similar or analogouscomponents.

FIG. 4 illustrates a third embodiment of shooting target designedaccording to the teachings of the invention with the exception thatapart from target body 36 having the smallest impact surface 37 all ofthe other target bodies 38 possess a substantially pot-shaped orbowl-shaped construction and are stacked within one another. Betweeneach smaller target body and the next larger target body partiallyenclosing such smaller target body there is arranged an elastic layer39, as shown. By virtue thereof, the individual target bodies aremovable to a limited extent relative to one another. Between the innerend face of the cylindrical-shaped target body 36 or the outside face ofthe base or bottom of the remaining target bodies 38 and the inner faceof this base or bottom there is arranged a respective diskv shapedpiezoelectric crystal 40, preferably located within an associated recess41.

The inside and outside surfaces of the jacket of the pot-shaped targetbodies 38 extend conically and the opening of each such pot-shapedtarget body is provided with a radially outwardly protruding marginalportion or skirt 42 which, however, does not protrude past the largestdiameter of the base. The radially extending end faces of such marginalportions or skirts 42 form the impact surfaces for the target, asindicated by reference character 43. Owing to the conical constructionof the jacket or outside surface of the potshaped target bodies 38 whichare telescopically fitted or stacked within one another, afterapplication of the elastic layers 39 such pot-shaped target bodies 38cannot fall out of the associated or next neighboring target bodypartially surrounding such. The cylindrical target body 36 possesses anotched portion or recess 44 which, when such is filled with the layer39, prevents this cylindrical target body 36 from dropping out of thenext successive or neighboring target body 38.

Now, at the base of the pot-shaped target bodies 38 and at the elasticlayers 39 there are provided aligned recesses or notches 45 for passageof the connection wires 46 of the crystals 40. The largest pot-shapedtarget body 38 is connected with an intermediate plate, as previouslyexplained, and therefore to preserve clarity in illustration has notparticularly been shown in FIG. 4. This intermediate plate, it is herementioned, can be constructed just as the intermediate plate 9 ofFIG. 1. Also, such intermediate plate is connected in the same manner asdiscussed before with the base plate, and wherein for the purpose ofindicating the position or location of the hit likewise a number offurther crystals are arranged in a circle between these plates.

A fourth embodiment of shooting target has been schematicallyillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. With the exception of the target body 47possessing the smallest impact surface all other target bodies 48possess a central circular and different size opening 49. Here insteadof using a central support as discussed above, there are now provided,for instance eight supports or carriers arranged in a circle. Each ofthese carriers 50 possesses the same construction as the central carrier5 depicted in FIG. 1, whereby however only one of these carriers isassociated with a respective crystal (not visible in FIGS. 5 and 6)cooperating with one of the target bodies. Only between the target body47, which in this embodiment also functions as the intermediate plate,and the base plate is there provided for each carrier 50 a non-visiblecrystal for the purpose of indicating the position of the hit.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block circuit diagram of the above-mentionedelectronic device which evaluates the voltage pulses generated by thecrystals and accordingly indicates the hits or the position of the hits.In this block circuit diagram the piezoelectric crystals associated withthe individual target bodies have been referenced by referencecharacters 51a to Sln and the piezoelectric crystals arranged betweenthe base plate and the intermediate plate have been referenced byreference characters 52a to 52n.

A monostable flip-flop stage 53a to 53n or 540 to 54n is electricallycoupled with each of these crystals. The voltage spikes generated by thecrystals are delivered to the input side of the corresponding flipflopstage. Such respond to positive or negative voltage spikes or peakswhich exceed a predetermined threshold value and generate a pulse attheir output side.

The flip-flop stage 53a generates a positive pulse of short duration,for instance of 10 ms. upon the occurrence of a positive voltage spike.The non-illustrated flip-flop stage 53b generates a positive pulse of 20ms.

(milliseconds) duration. Each subsequent flip-flop stage 53c, 53d 53n ineach case produces a positive pulse which is longer by 10 ms. than thepulse generated by the preceding flip-flop stage. From what has beenjust explained, it will be apparent that a positive pulse of differentduration will be generated depending upon the hit.

Preferably, the flip-flop stage 53a which produces the shortest positivepulse is connected with that crystal associated with the largest sizetarget body, in other words the target body indicative of the lowest hitscore or number. The flip-flop stage 53n which produces the largestpositive pulse is connected with that crystal associated with thesmallest target body, in other words that target body which isindicative of the highest hit score or number. In this manner, if abullet only glancingly passes or slightly touches a target body andthereafter impacts against the next larger size target body, twopositive pulses will be produced, whereby however both pulses will beginalmost at the same time and the longer duration pulse, correspondinglyto the higher hit score, will outlast the shorter duration pulse causingthe higher hit score to be indicated. This iscorrect since also at astandard target the higher hit score is given to the shooter if a targetcircle is hit.

The outputs of the flip-flop stages 53a to 53n are all in parallel andcoupled electrically with the input of a pulse sender or transmitter 55.The latter produces, as a function of the duration of the positivepulses delivered thereto, a corresponding number of shorter positivepulses of constant duration, the number of these shorter pulses beingproportional to the hit score.

This group of short positive pulses is delivered to a transmission line57 through the agency of a coupling circuit 56, transmission lines 57being placed between the target stand and the shooting stand. This groupof short positive pulses arrives at a first pulse counter 59 through theagency of a branch circuit 58 at the shooting stand, and the pulsecounter 59 then counts the incoming positive pulses. In accordance withthe count the score number is rendered visible at an indicating board 61coupled with the counter 59 by means of the conductor or line 60.

The monostable flip-flop stage 54a generates a relative short negativepulse of about, for instance 10 ms. duration when the crystal coupledtherewith, which for instance may be assumed to be uppermost crystal 24of the arrangement of FIG. 2, generates a voltage peak or spikeexceeding a predetermined threshold value. Each successive flip-flopstage 54b, 54c 54n produces a negative pulse which is longer than thenext preceding pulse by 10 ms., so that depending upon the position orlocation of the hit or shot the length of the generated negative pulsevaries. All outputs of the flip-flop stages 54a to 54n are connected inparallel and coupled with the input of a second pulse transmitter 62.Depending upon the length or duration of the negative pulses deliveredto this second pulse transmitter 62 such generates a number of shorternegative pulses of constant duration in such a manner that the number ofthese short negative pulses contain information as regards the positionof the shot.

From the second pulse transmitter 62 the group of negative pulses arrivevia a time delay circuit 63 at the coupling circuit 56. At this timedelay circuit 63, the

negative group of pulses is stored at least so long until the positivegroup of pulses produced by the first pulse transmitter 55 has beendelivered to the coupling circuit 56. Only thereafter do the negativepulse groups arrive via the coupling circuit 56 at the transmission line57 and via the branch circuit 58 at a second pulse counter 64. Counter64 controls by means of the line 67 the indication of the position ofthe shot or hit at the indicator board 61. For this purpose theindicator board has shown symbolically thereon a target whichilluminates in sectors depending upon the location where a projectilehas impacted at the corresponding sector of the target of FIG. 1.

It will be recalled'that during the preceding discussion it was assumedthat a projectile impacted at location 32 of the second largest targetbody lof FIG. 1. The indicator board 61 of FIG. 7 indicates the dataregarding this fired shot, namely the score number 2" and the sectorwhere the hit occurred lights up at the board 61, which in this case isexactly vertically above the target center, as shown.

If there are available two transmissions lines 65 and 66 as shown inbroken lines in FIG. 7, then it is possible to dispense with the timedelay circuit 63, the coupling circuit 56 and the branch circuit 58. Therespective groups of pulses produced by the pulse transmitters 55 and 62can then be simultaneously transmitted and without interfering with oneanother to the pulse counters 59 and 64, respectively. In this case, themonostable flip-flop stages 53a 53n and the monostable flipflop stages54a 54n can be identical.

Since for small caliber shooting installations, the shooting stand andthe target stand are relatively close to one another, it is possible touse instead of a two conductor transmission line also a single conductorline, whereby ground serves as the common return line.

The shooting targets illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6 all have been shown topossess substantially circularshaped impact surfaces, yet it however isexpressly mentioned that the target bodies can possess practically anyoptionally desired shape. Further, it is here stated that thesubdivision of the impact surfaces can be as fine or small as desired.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of theinvention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practicedwithin the scope of the following claims. Accordingly,

What is claimed is:

l. A shooting target for the automatic indication of hits, comprising anumber of different size target bodies having impact surface means forthe fired projectiles, a base plate, means for mounting said targetbodies behind one another and independently movable with respect to oneanother to a limited extent at said base plate, a current circuitoperably associated with each target body, sensing element meansresponsive to the relative movement of the target bodies for influencingan electrical current flowing in said current circuit associated witheach target body, said sensing element means being arranged between saidindividual target bodies, an intermediate plate mounted to be movable toa limited extent relative to said base plate arranged between saidtarget bodies and said base plate, additional sensing element meansarranged substantially along a circular path between said intermediateplate and said base plate for indicating the position of the fired shot,one of said target bodies possessing an impact surface defining thesecond smallest impact surface means for the target, said one targetbody being substantially pot-shaped and having a base portion equippedwith an opening for partially receiving a further one of said targetbodies possessing the smallest impact surface, the outside surface ofsaid base portion serving as the impact surface means for said onetarget body, the remaining target bodies being in the form ofsubstantially circular-shaped discs each having a central bore, saidmounting means for said target bodies comprising a central supportextending through said bores, support rings spaced by spacer sleevemembers at a predetermineddistance from one another fixedly mounted atsaid central support, and wherein at least respective ones of saidsensing element means responsive to the relative movement of said targetbodies are mounted to bear against a target body and a support ring, andresilient element means for retaining an associated target body in itsrest position provided between each such target body and the associatedsupport ring. 7

2. A shooting target as defined in claim 1, wherein at least some ofsaid target bodies are defined by substantially circular-shaped membershaving their impact surface means arranged in a common plane, andwherein radially extending outside surfaces thereof are defined byconcentrically arranged target rings coupled via support elements withthe circular-shaped target bodies.

3. A shooting target as defined in claim 1, wherein said target bodiesare all of substantially pot-shaped configuration with the exception ofthe smallest size target body, and wherein all such target bodies withthe exception of said smallest size target body are equipped with aradially outwardly protruding margin having an end face serving asimpact surface means, said potshaped target bodies partially beingstacked within one another and spaced from one another by elastic layermeans, and wherein said sensing element means responsive to movement ofthe target bodies are arranged between the base portions of neighboringones of such target bodies.

4. A shooting target for the automatic indication of hits comprising anumber of different size target bodies having impact surface means forthe fired projectiles, a base plate, means for mounting said targetbodies behind one another and independently movable with respect to oneanother to a limited extent at said base plate, a current circuitoperably associated with each target body, sensing element meansresponsive to the relative movement of the target bodies for influencingan electrical current flowing in said current circuit associated witheach target body, said sensing element means being arranged between saidindividual target bodies an intermediate plate mounted to be movable toa limited extent relative to said base plate arranged between saidtarget bodies and said base plate, additional sensing element meansarranged substantially along a circular path between said intermediateplate and said base plate for indicating the position of the fired shot,the target body having the smallest impact surface m an bein defined b afi st late em r, and wherein the renaining targ t bo ies ire d finec lby plate members possessing substantially circular-shaped centralopenings of different size with respect to one another, said mountingmeans comprising at least three support columns for retaining all suchplate members at a predetermined spacing with respect to one another,and wherein a number of said sensing element means are provided betweensaid individual plate members.

5. A shooting target for the automatic indication of hits, comprising anumber of different size target bodies having impact surface means forthe fired projectiles, a base plate, means for mounting said targetbodies behind one another and independently movable with respect to oneanother to a limited extent at said base plate, a current circuitoperably associated with each target body, sensing element meansresponsive to the relative movement of the target bodies for influencingan electrical current flowing in said current circuit associated witheach target body, said sensing element means being arranged between saidindividual target bodies, an intermediate plate mounted to be movable toa limited extent relative to said base plate arranged between saidtarget bodies and said base plate, additional sensing element meansarranged substantially along a circular path between said intermediateplate and said base plate for indicating the position of the fired shot,said. sensing element means comprising piezoelectrical crystals.

1. A shooting target for the automatic indication of hits, comprising anumber of different size target bodies having impact surface means forthe fired projectiles, a base plate, means for mounting said targetbodies behind one another and independently movable with respect to oneanother to a limited extent at said base plate, a current circuitoperably associated with each target body, sensing element meansresponsive to the relative movement of the target bodies for influencingan electrical current flowing in said current circuit associated witheach target body, said sensing element means being arranged between saidindividual target bodies, an intermediate plate mounted to be movable toa limited extent relative to said base plate arranged between saidtarget bodies and said base plate, additional sensing element meansarranged substantially along a circular path between said intermediateplate and said base plate for indicating the position of the fired shot,one of said target bodies possessing an impact surface defining thesecond smallest impact surface means for the target, said one targetbody being substantially pot-shaped and having a base portion equippedwith an opening for partially receiving a further one of said targetbodies possessing the smallest impact surface, the outside surface ofsaid base portion serving as the impact surface means for said onetarget body, the remaining target bodies being in the form ofsubstantially circular-shaped discs each having a central bore, saidmounting means for said target bodies comprising a central supportextending through said bores, support rings spaced by spacer sleevemembers at a predetermined distance from one another fixedly mounted atsaid central support, and wherein at least respective ones of saidsensing element means responsive to the relative movement of said targetbodies are mounted to bear against a target body and a support ring, andresilient element means for retaining an associated target body in itsrest position provided between each such target body and the associatedsupport ring.
 2. A shooting target as defined in claim 1, wherein atleast some of said target bodies are defined by substantiallycircular-shaped members having their impact surface means arranged in acommon plane, and wherein radially extending outside surfaces thereofare defined by concentrically arranged target rings coupled via supportelements with the circular-shaped target bodies.
 3. A shooting target asdefined in claim 1, wherein said target bodies are all of substantiallypot-shaped configuration with the exception of the smallest size targetbody, and wherein all such target bodies with the exception of saidsmallest size target body are equipped with a radially outwardlyprotruding margin having an end face serving as impact surface means,said pot-shaped target bodies partially being stacked within one anotherand spaced from one another by elastic layer means, and wherein saidsensing element means responsive to movement of the target bodies arearranged between the base portions of neighboring ones of such targetbodies.
 4. A shooting target for the automatic indication of hitscomprising a number of different size target bodies having impactsurface means for the fired projectiles, a base plate, means formounting said target bodies behind one another and independently movablewith respect to one another to a limited extent at said base plate, acurrent circuit operably associated with each target body, sensingelement means responsive to the relative movement of the target bodiesfor influencing an electrical current flowing in said current circuitassociated with each target body, said sensing element means beingarranged between said individual target bodies an intermediate platemounted to be movable to a limited extent relative to said base platearranged between said target bodies and said base plate, additionalsensing elemeNt means arranged substantially along a circular pathbetween said intermediate plate and said base plate for indicating theposition of the fired shot, the target body having the smallest impactsurface means being defined by a first plate member, and wherein theremaining target bodies are defined by plate members possessingsubstantially circular-shaped central openings of different size withrespect to one another, said mounting means comprising at least threesupport columns for retaining all such plate members at a predeterminedspacing with respect to one another, and wherein a number of saidsensing element means are provided between said individual platemembers.
 5. A shooting target for the automatic indication of hits,comprising a number of different size target bodies having impactsurface means for the fired projectiles, a base plate, means formounting said target bodies behind one another and independently movablewith respect to one another to a limited extent at said base plate, acurrent circuit operably associated with each target body, sensingelement means responsive to the relative movement of the target bodiesfor influencing an electrical current flowing in said current circuitassociated with each target body, said sensing element means beingarranged between said individual target bodies, an intermediate platemounted to be movable to a limited extent relative to said base platearranged between said target bodies and said base plate, additionalsensing element means arranged substantially along a circular pathbetween said intermediate plate and said base plate for indicating theposition of the fired shot, said sensing element means comprisingpiezoelectrical crystals.